Reflector



w. WILSON 2,040,117

REFLECTOR Original File d May 8', 1955 Patented May 12, 1936 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE REFLECTOR Illinois Application May 8, 1933, SerialNo. 669,848 Renewed October 5, 1935 17 Claims.

My invention relates to reflectors for lights, heat reflectors and otherunits in which reflectors can be used to control and dissipate theenergy, and more particularly to a simply constructed,

readily adjustable reflector having a wide range of adjustment and beingsuitable for a number of electric-light bulb sizes.

An object of my invention is to provide an adjustable reflector having ademountable and adjustable supporting means for supporting andpositioning the reflector through a wide range of angles with respect tothe bulb or other support.

The provision of a reflector having a means for adjustably supportingthe reflector on a bulb or similar support and allowing angularadjustment of the reflector with respect to the bulb, and a furthermeans to allow a further angular adjustment of the reflector are otherobjects of my invention.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a clip adapted to bedemountably fastened in and between the openings of different shapes andsizes in a reflector and to cooperate with the reflector in adjustablyand semi-lockingly holding an electric light bulb in proper relation tothe reflector.

Providing an eflicient and economically manufactured clip requiring aminimum of wire-bending operations is still another object of myinvention.

To provide an elliptical adjustable reflector which projects thereflected light in an elongated strip and which has therein toaccommodate a bulb a long narrow aperture the major axis of which is atright angles to the major axis of the reflector are other objects of myinvention.

Controlling the position of the light source with respect to itsreflector, as the reflector is moved about the light source, by theshape of an aperture in the reflector through which the neck of the bulbextends and against which the neck of the bulb is supported, is anotherobject of my invention.

A further object of my invention lies in providing an adjustablereflector that can be readily dismantled of its cooperating parts andnested for economic shipping.

A further object of my invention is to provide a method of producing aclip for adjustably holding a reflector on a bulb, so constructed as tobe conveniently and effectively produced in quantitiesin continuous,connected, manufacturing operations.

Other objects and advantages will be hereinafter pointed out, and for afurther understanding of the characteristics and novel merits of myinvention reference may be had to the following drawing andspecification:

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a top view of an electric light reflector;

Fig. 2 is a transverse cross sectional view of the reflector shown inFig. 1 with the bulb and retaining clip in place;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top view of the reflector with a retaining clipin two positions;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view disclosing a modification of thebulb aperture;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the retaining clip shown in Figs. 1 and2;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of clip; and

Figs. 7 and 8 are detailed views of another form of retaining clip whichform is shown in place on a reflector in Fig. 3.

In referring more particularly to the drawing, the reflector I hashooked between the extremities of its oval opening 2 a spring-wireretaining clip 3 engaging the bulb 4 in slidable relation and permittingthe reflector to be positioned with respect to the bulb in one planebetween the two extreme positions designated in Fig. 2.

The two positions of the reflector of Fig. 2 disclose that adjustabilityis obtained both by providing an elongated opening in the reflector topermit the desired sliding movement between the neck of the lamp andreflector and by suitably forming the sides 5a of the clip 3, to providea sliding movement between the bulb and the clip 3. Lines la are theaxes of the reflector in the two positions shown, and clearly show howthe center of movement (the point where the axes of the two positionsintersect) of the reflector and center of the light source 6 arerelated. While'theoretically to have these two centers coincide isdesirable, in practice to permit considerable compromise withoutimpairing the reflecting efficiency is usually possible. Such acompromise makes possible shortening the length of the elongated opening2 which is usually desirable and is accomplished most easily by the saidsliding motion between the bulb and sides 5a of the clip 3. As thereflector l is moved between these two extreme positions the sides 5 and5a of the spring clips 3 slide along the lower part of the bulb, at thesame time keeping the edges of the bulb aperture 2 against the neck ofthe bulb. The sides 5a of the type of clip illustrated in Fig. 5 areprovided with undulations which act as predetermined adjustments for thebulb with respect to the reflector and to provide semi-locking atpredetermined positions of the bulb with respect to the wire clip.Further looking at predetermined positions of adjustment is provided byundulating the edges of the opening 2, thereby allowing a number oflocking positions between the neck of the bulb and opening 2. That thesemi-locking obtained by undulating the sides of the aperture 2 as shownin Fig. 4 can be obtained by also undulating the edge of the Openingshall be understood.

The clips 3, 3a and 31), described as part of my invention, can behooked across the parallel sides also of the opening 2, allowing therebysimilar positioning of the reflector i to that described and shown inFig. 2. is designed to allow a maximum movement of the bulb i withrespect to the aperture 2. However, that other shapes and designs couldbe effectively used is obvious and that the shape and elevationalcontour of the aperture determines the position of the light source 6with respect to the reflector l, as the reflector is positioned Withinits limits, is obvious also.

The retaining clips can be clamped lengthwise across the aperture, asshown in Figs. 2 and 3, or crosswise, as shown in the alternativeposition in Fig. 3 and, when crosswise, it can be located at variouspositions along the length of the slot. The type of clip shown in Figs.7 and 8, when clamped crosswise of the opening, provides a socket forthe bulb, the bulb 4 being held in a fixed position by the flanged edge7 of the clip 3a which is shaped to conform to the contour of the neckof the bulb. When in the lengthwise position shown in Fig. 3, thecontour of the clip flange i coincides with that of the reflectoraperture, thereby leaving the full length of the aperture clear ofobstacles. A further extension of a portion of the flange l of the clip3a is formed into a hook 8 for clamping onto the reflector.

Fig. 5 shows another type of U-shaped clip 3 made of two pieces ofspring wire bent at right angles near their ends and held in position bythe clamp 9 which acts as a hook also in attaching the clip to areflector.

Another form of a U-shaped clip 3b is shown in Fig.6 and comprises twolengths of spring wire held in position with respect to each other by astrip of metal l9. An extension of a portion of the metal strip i6 isformed into a hook II for attaching the clip to a reflector.

Fig. 4 shows a modification in the elevational contour of the aperture 2which is substantially concentric with the curvature of the sides 5 and5a of the clips.

By the use of an elliptically-shaped reflector, as shown in Fig. 1, itis possible to project the light over an elongated area suflicientlynarrow to efiiciently illuminate the more shallow type of show window.In the case of deep windows, ad justing alternate reflectors are used sothat while one reflector will illuminate the front portion of the windowthe second reflector will illuminate the area to the back of the showwindow and if the window be sufficiently deep the third reflector willbe projected still farther to the rear of the window.

The shape'of the aperture 2 window, thus increasing the volume ofproduction while at the same time maintaining a much smaller volume ofmaterial, equipment and finished stock than possible if a variety ofreflector styles were produced. 7

Further, the sale of such a reflector is facilitated by the fact thatthe distributors and dealers are required to carry only one style ofreflector in stock where before three or four styles were necessary tohandle customers requirements.

While, therefore, I have described but a general embodiment of myinvention, it is apparent that others may enlarge the same through theemployment of means which are the full equivalent of those illustratedand claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention, and Idesire, therefore, that my invention be limited by only the showing inthe prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An adjustable reflector for an electric bulb, provided with ademountable means supported on said reflector, said means pivotallysupporting said reflector on said bulb and allowing a change in thepivot point of said reflector with respect to said bulb.

2. An adjustable reflector having an aperture therein supported on abulb, the neck of said bulb extending upwardly through said aperture,the width of said aperture ranging between the minimum and maximumdiameters of the neck of said bulb and the length greater than saidwidth, a U-shaped spring clip detachably connected to the reflectorlengthwise of said aperture and resiliently holding the said neck incontact with two sides of said aperture, said reflector having aplurality of pivot points with respect to the bulb along the said twosides of said aperture.

3. A bulb-holding clip for a reflector comprising a pair of U-shapedspring members, braces holding said members in substantially parallelrelation, said braces being provided with hooks for attachment to saidreflector.

4. A bulb-holding clip for a reflector comprising a pair of U-shapedspring members substantially parallel with each other, the ends of saidmembers being bent at substantially right angles toward each other sothat the ends meet, and a combination clamp and hook for clampingtogether the two said members and hooking the said clip to saidreflector.

5. In combination with a reflector having therein an aperture greater inlength than in width to accommodate the upwardly extending neck of abulb therethrough, the short sides of said opening having substantiallythe same curvature as said neck and the said long sides having thereinundulations, a clip for attaching said reflector to said bulb, said clipcomprising a pair of U-shaped spring wires, a pair of braces hold-- ingsaid wires at their ends in spaced substantially parallel relation, saidbraces being provided with a flange and a hook extending from saidflange for hooking between the sides of said opening.

6. In an adjustable reflector having an aperture therein to accommodatethe upwardly extending neck of a bulb therethrough, said aperture beinglonger than wide, an adjustable clip connected across the short sides ofsaid opening and pivotally supporting said reflector on said bulb, saidaperture permitting the said neck to move arcuately within the limits ofsaid aperture, said clip comprising two U-shaped spring memberssubstantially parallel having provisions at their ends for attachment tosaid reflector, said members extending substantially at right angles tothe long side of said aperture.

7. In a reflector having an aperture of greater length than width toaccommodatethe upwardly extending neck of a bulb therethrough, anadjustable clip adjustably supporting said reflector on a bulb, saidclip having provisions for demountably fastening between either of thetwo opposite sides of said aperture, said clip cooperating with saidaperture to permit angular adjustment of said reflector with respect tosaid bulb in a vertical plane through the said long side of theaperture.

8. In a reflector having an aperture to accommodate the upwardlyextending neck of a bulb therethrough, an adjustable clip demountablyfastened between the sides of said aperture, said clip having provisionsto support the neck of said bulb in fixed relation with respect to saidaperture.

9. An elliptical reflector having therein a long narrow aperture toaccommodate the neck of a bulb, the major axis of said aperture being atright angles to the major axis of the reflector, and a detachable clipcooperating with the sides of said aperture to adjustably support thereflector on said bulb.

10. An adjustable reflector for an electric bulb, and a means foradjustably supporting said reflector on said bulb, said reflector havingtherein a long narrow aperture to accommodate the neck of said bulb andto allow positioning of said neck between the long sides of saidaperture, the said long sides being formed to semilock the neck of saidbulb in a plurality of positions.

11. An adjustable reflector for an electric bulb, provided with meanssupported on said reflector, said means pivotally supporting saidreflector on said bulb and allowing a change in the pivot point of saidreflector with respect to said bulb.

12. An adjustable reflector having an aperture therein supported on abulb, the neck of said bulb extending upwardly through said aperture,the width of said aperture ranging between the minimum and maximumdiameters of the neck of said bulb and the length greater than width,and means resiliently holding the said neck in contact with two sides ofsaid aperture, said reflector having a plurality of pivot points withrespect to the bulb along the said two sides of said aperture.

13. In combination with a reflector having therein an aperture greaterin length than in width to accommodate the upwardly extending neck of abulb therethrough, the short sides of said opening having substantiallythe same curvature as said neck and the said long sides having thereinundulations, and means attached to said reflector for holding said bulbin contact with said undulations.

14. An elliptical reflector having therein a long narrow aperture toaccommodate the neck of a bulb, the major axis of said aperture being atright angles to the major axis of the reflector, and a detachable clipto adjustably support the reflector on said bulb.

15. A bulb-supported reflector comprising a reflector member having anelongated opening adjacent its central portions through which the neckof the bulb extends, said opening being provided with a plurality ofpositioning means adjacent its periphery for holding the reflector in anumber of different adjusted positions with respect to the neck of thebulb, and reflectorsupporting means engaging the bulb for holding thereflector in any one of a number of adjusted positions.

16. A bulb-supported reflector construction comprising a reflectorhaving an elongated opening therein to receive the neck of the bulb, andmeans for holding said reflector in any one of a plurality of adjustedpositions comprising bulbengaging means having a series of bulb-engagingpositioning members for holding the reflector in any one of a number ofadjusted positions.

17. A bulb-supported reflector construction comprising a reflectorhaving an elongated opening therein to receive the neck of the bulb, andmeans for holding said reflector in any one of a plurality of adjustedpositions comprising bulbengaging means having a series of bulb-engagingpositioning members for holding the reflector in any one of a number ofadjusted positions, said means comprising a pair of spring members, oneengaging each side of the bulb, and at least one of said members havinga series of corrugations therein into any one of which the surface ofthe bulb may extend. I

WESLEY WILSON.

